| Author | Message | ||
     P47b |
I've wanted to do this for awhile. I was going to do a copy of an 1125 motor. But the more I have been thinking I really want a V4. Water cooled and a bunch of options that are not on most bike engines. Confused? In all reality I want to design an engine from the ground up, build it, and eventually put it in a bike. I know there are a lot of people who are going WHY? right now. Just go buy one you say. Really though I want something that I built. We would not be riding if it wasn’t for some one going, What If? Any one done it here? | ||
| Pammy |
"Designing" an engine from the ground up will cost you a LOT of time. "Building" an engine from the ground up (from scratch) will cost you a LOT(as in I hope you have NOTHING else to distract you) of time and an unfathomable amount of money. | ||
| Pammy |
Not trying to burst your bubble or anything...if you have the money, honey...go for it.  Oh and take lots of pictures... | ||
| Tpoppa |
Do a google search for info/videos of John Britten making engine castings in his house. It was a huge undertaking and quite a story. | ||
| Chadhargis |
If you have the ability to do it, go for it, but there is a LOT Of engineering involved. | ||
| Prowler |
Designing and building a small volume of engines from scratch is a $$ challenge. We did it using spray metal tooling and producing a small volume of lost foam casting engine blocks. You're going to want at least a couple of engine blocks to allow for possible machining errors/changes or assembly/design changes. You can also machine a block from scratch from huge blocks of aluminum (mucho $$$). Either way, kinda expensive. We built a couple of running experimental engines using the lost foam block method. The rest of the components (rods, pistons, etc) were sourced from existing engine designs and modified to work for our application. It's just way too cost prohibitive to make everything from scratch, not to mention every part you design from scratch has to be tested to make sure it will work for your application. Sure is fun watching a new motor you designed fire up for the first time, though. Exiting moment, like watching your kid walk for the first time (except more exciting!) | ||
| P47b |
Thanks for the input. The great deal here is that I have a foundry in my back yard. I've been sand casting for awhile. So I think I'm up for the challenge. So most of my cost for building an engine is mostly on machining the parts out. I might, with a little grumbling might be able to get Truett & Osborn to do the crank and rods for me. I'm still thinking of making a copy of an flathead (Flatty) engine first. Any one else | ||
| Doughnut |
If able I would like to give it a ride. . . | ||
| Pammy |
I must repeat myself...TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES! |
